Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126554
wheel market. However, Yamaha is staning to make a move to pull alongside. SoB Lightning is comprised of three young men: Broc Glover, Billy Talley and Bob "Ace" Willams. What they have done to the three-wheelers is unbelievable (oh yes, Glover is the same Yamaha factory rider you read about almost every week). They do work on the Hondas, but Yamahas are their main outlet. They're Yamaha's biggest shot in the arm. SoB Lightning has taken the Yamaha IT 175 Tri-Moto and turned it into a very competive working unit. The biggest push in competive racing or heavy off-road IlSe in suspension. Since Yamaha doesn't offer a suspension frame, S·B has developed their own. "The way the 175 is set up now, the engine sits too far back in the frame, thus causing the front wheel to lift every time you get on it hard, therefore not handling right," comments Talley. Wheelbase on a stock 175cc TriMoto sits at about 46~ inches. With the SoB Tri-Mono frame, wheelbase is increased to 50 inches. This not only gives you three extra inches, but also a suspension working frame. A Works Performance shock is used to give six inches of travel. By the way, a IT uSec motor will a1Io bolt in. The front end can also l1e made to handle better b. turning the forb around, providing a leading instead of a trailing front ¥le. This chal.ge not only improves its handling but extends the wheelbase to cure those wheelie blues. Ooe of SoB's riders, Steve Wright, sports a 1980 YZ80 front end which gives six and a half inches of travel. A SoB triple clamp is added to sturdy things also. As far as the motor is concerned, several things can be done: A higher compression head is .used along with a larger manifold. SoB also endorses a carb S6mm Lect,ron carbo For sand and dusty riding, SoB recommends a K&:N filter with a sock sleeve over the top to keep those fine grains of sand OUt. This complete package blends together very well with a S·B pipe. What can't be seen, of course, is the pon work; this is where all the ponies are unleashed. S·B has also added a 1980 Tri-Moto uSec "black box" to the ignition. This so called little "black box" gives more advanced timing to the ignition for higher revvi.ng engines. For the all-out serious racer, another step can be taken - manual clutch kits and/or a six-speed transmission. This not only helps you come off the line, but the six-speed has closer gear ratios which really helps in the junk, along with having that little extra on top. This outfit is for the serious racer only. SoB also produced a kit in which they weld the transfers on an IT175 barrel. The IT not only produces more horsepower, but can also be poned even funher than your YT. The IT unit will also bolt right on your YT175 lower end which makes a nice sano unit. Once the motor has had its little ponies added, the clutch may have a tendency to slip. SoB puts out a set of heavy duty clutch springs that will install straight into your stock TriMoto automatic clutch. Talley also recommends removing the Autolube pump and mixing your own gas and oil. This allows you to run a mixture of your choice; PJl at S2: I, "Is what the Yamaha seems to like," comments Talley. This is just a sample of what lies in store for a Tri-MolO owner. If you have any great ideas yourself, or just want to ask a question, give the SoB boys a call at 714/562-7500 or write SB ~ghming, lS57 N. Cuyamaca St., El Cajon, CA 92020. An' .- m .. .Q) .0 E § c en ~ z ~ HI-POINT BOOTS Top grain leather Staml... a.eel shin pla.e . Buill-in pl••tic protection Smooth or cl•••ed sol... . All liZ.' aveiltlble. • G. P. GLOVES BOD PODS Plastec shoulder. chest and collarbone protection .. Nykm with protecUv. padding ..• Oelu.e, standard and youth mod· els . all popular colors. HI-POINT * RACIN. * J HI-POINT PANTS FILTERS HI-POINT OILS All leather or nylonI I.ather styles ... all popular colors" padded or unpadded palms , finoer and knuet&,. pro· tectlon all sizes. Tough nylon with cordura in the ••at and kn.. a,•• spandea side panel. pla.tic knee and shin guards All popula, ATC names and colors, Twin stage 'foam ,ilters , Available' for all popular ATC's .. Superior air cleaning and b,eathing Use Hi-Point Twin Air lilter flUId, Competition tasted 2· stroke and 4·.t'ok. oils . Gear lube, chain lubes and bearing grea.. "What the winners rety on" HI-POINT RACING PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM YOUR HI-POINT RACING PRODUCTS DEALER ... SEE HIM FOR AU YOUR ATC NEEDS HI-POINT RACING PRODUCTS Penton Imports Company (ERSt) 3709 W Ene Ave. Loralf1. OH 44053 (Wesl/ 9604 Oates Or. Sacramento. CA 95827 (Camtda) 91 MiJltJa"d Terrace. Strathroy. ONT N7G lL2 Spnd S 1 00 lor it Vlf1yl H"Polf1t Jersey Patch snddle-cut visor decal to: H,·Pomt A T,c sticker offer. 3709 W Ene Ave. Lmam. OH 4~053 Performance Products For .Tri-Moto * Axle Boots Ired. blue. yellow. black) * Mlkuni Carb Kits * Chain {428H-86 link) * Performance Porting * Cancilla Chain Tensioners * Roost Booster Power Canisters * Chrome Cooler Racks * Seat Cover" * Expansion Chambers For 125 & 175 * Stroker Cranks * Extended Metal Footpegs * TIres-Chevron & Knobby & RawhIde * Foam Grips Ired. blue. yellOW. black) .* TIre Changers * Handlebarslalumlnum-gold & * Wheel Spacers black/competition typ.Chrome) * Wheel.One Piece Steel Or Two * Heavy-Duty Clutch Springs Piece Polished Aluminum Available From Your Local Dealer Or Direct From Helm &: Son Cycle Performance Products 13 South 36th St.. Phoenix. AZ 85034 1 (BOO} 528-9407